Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

Development of Sampling Designs and Statistical Approaches for Monitoring Status and Trends in Indicators of Ecosystem Condition

Project ID: J8W07100041

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: University of Idaho

Fiscal Year: 2010

Initial Funding: $47,000

Total Funding: $206,796

Project Type: Technical Assistance

Project Disciplines: Interdisciplinary

National Park: Pacific West Region I-M multi networks

Principal Investigator: Steinhorst, R. Kirk

Agreement Technical Representative: Garrett, Lisa

Abstract: The National Park Service (NPS) Inventory & Monitoring (I&M) networks within the Pacific West Region
will collaborate with the University of Idaho (UI) in a technical assistance project to: 1) design and test robust sampling strategies to achieve sampling objectives of several monitoring protocols; 2) identify, test, and revise statistical approaches to determine status and trends in ecological indicators; 3) respond to peer review comments on sampling design and statistical analyses; 4) prepare narratives, SOPs, and appendices for incorporation into monitoring protocols; and 5) report the results of preliminary tests and analyses. NPS will provide information on each monitoring protocol, its objectives, and constraints. UI will work with NPS to devise a suitable spatial and temporal sampling design that meets monitoring objectives. To accomplish this, NPS and UI will discuss constraints that influence sampling design and implementation (including seasonality, logistics, timing, safety, cost, staff, accessibility, etc.) and the associated tradeoffs. These parties will work together to identify the population, the sample units, and sampling frame, conduct power analyses to determine minimum sample size, develop and evaluate alternative sampling plans, and identify appropriate statistical tests and confidence intervals to detect change in the status of vital signs.
This collaborative effort will benefit NPS by improving the scientific credibility of I&M monitoring protocols and will benefit UI by enhancing its ability to design and develop technical educational programs for students to learn about, address, and propose solutions for natural resource issues.

Deliverables: